Another Democrat filed to run for Beaufort County commissioner Wednesday.
Carolyn Harding, a former county commissioner, became the third Democrat to fill out elections paperwork at the Beaufort County Board of Elections. So far, the other Democrats to sign up are Mickey Cochran and Robert Belcher. Incumbent Commissioner Jerry Langley, also a Democrat, has said he is running again.
On the Republican side, five commissioner candidates have filed: incumbent Hood Richardson, Tony “T.J.” Keech, incumbent Jay McRoy, Donald Dixon and Rick Gagliano. Larry Britt, also a Republican, has said he plans to file. Another Republican, Gary Brinn, has announced his intention to file.
Four seats are available on the county board this year. Voters will select four Democrats and four Republicans to advance from the May 8 primary elections to the Nov. 6 general election. Based on previous announcements, it appears each of the major political parties could field numerous commissioner candidates, though the Republican slate of aspirants is shaping up to be the most crowded. Filing began Feb. 13 and will end Feb. 29.